What are Intelligent Systems?
Intelligent Systems can be seen as software and/or hardware that can adapt to different environmental changes. They can learn from past events and plan for future events. They can even strive to obtain goals. Algorithms that are used to create systems that learn are usually studied in the area of Machine Learning. Many common algorithms include neural networks, support vector machines (SVM), decision trees, supervised learning, and unsupervised learning. It is a very interesting area of study that is a basis for research in data mining, natural language processing, and many others.
My area of interest is applying Intelligent Systems as part of the solution for creating a smarter home. My research involves creating Smart Homes to: (1) aid in achieving energy efficiency and sustainability, and (2) the promotion of self-reliant living for seniors and people with disabilities. The former (1) can be seen as a subset of the latter (2), so more of my initial research will focus on an intelligent platform to solve (1) but is extensible to be a part of the solution for (2).
A Short Biography of Stephen Makonin
I am currently on professional development (PD) leave to study for my Doctor of Philosophy in Computing Science at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Before my PD leave from British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) I was as a full-time researcher at the applied research Technology Centre (TC) researching the Smart Grid in the areas of system and web architectures, home area networks (HAN), and embedded systems.
My areas of research interest include: Intelligent Agents, Sensor Networks, Embedded Systems, RESTful Web Services, Semantics, and Persuasive Computing.
What's New?
2011-06-26: Accepted the role of Program Committee member for UCAmI 2011.
2011-06-23: Back from ICOST 2011. The conference was great!
2011-05-10: My 2nd paper was accepted at SG'11, held in Bremen, Germany.
2011-04-27: Added my Free/Busy Calendar.
2011-03-14: Added links. West House launched March 8th. I am excited to be a part of it!
2011-03-07: Added my Publications page.
2011-03-06: My 1st paper was accepted at ICOST 2011, held in Montreal, Canada.
2011-03-02: Added a report to view consumption of electricity, water, and natural gas.
2011-02-10: Added my After Hours (creative hobbies) page.
2011-01-25: Successfully transferred from MSc Thesis to PhD program.
2010-12-08: Launch of my initial website. More to come in the new year, stay tuned!
